Harris

TVPPA has named Melinda Harris to the position of corporate data analyst.

While Harris will be working primarily with TVPPA Strategic Energy Solutions, rates and pricing, she’ll also be bringing her expertise to bear on behalf of Seven States Power Corp.

“We’re pleased to welcome Melinda to our team,” said TVPPA Director of Energy Solutions Steve Noe. “She brings a wealth of experience in data analysis and management.

“Not only will Melinda be helping us with meter data analysis, DER [distributed energy resources] modeling and rate/pricing analysis, but she’ll also be helping us develop systems for data collection, retention, and development of decision-making tools,” Noe said.

An Oak Ridge, TN, native, Harris earned an undergraduate degree in biology from Tennessee Technological University. She interned with Bechtel National while at Tech, then launched her career there after graduation.

She spent the first 20 years of her career at Bechtel and Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon, during which time she became proficient in GIS mapping. At BWSC, Harris built the GIS department and a pair of copyrighted GIS interfaces for two different industries.

After taking a few years away to relocate and settle her family in Chattanooga, TN, Harris joined that city’s police department in 2010 as a senior crime analyst. She built a real-time intelligence center for the CPD, then was promoted into the mayor’s office. She is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and an instructor/facilitator for Black Belt Academies.

“I’m a data geek,” Harris said. “I’m a huge proponent of process improvement, and I enjoy working toward data-driven outcomes.”